By Yahya Abbas
Abu Dhabi, Mar 3: Mangalore Cup 2017 (Season-5) over arm hard tennis MRI ball cricket tournament was held under the auspices of MCC (Mangalore Cricket Club) at Sheikh Zayed International Cricket Stadium ground, here.
Vincent, managing director of Royal Institute of Music and Arts inaugurated the event. He said, "We are pleased to be part such a high competitive sport's tournament taking place at International Stadium. Mangalorean Cricket Club has been conducting this in a magnificent way since five years. This time it is bigger and better than before and we look forward to the high level of sportsmanship to be displayed."
During the presentation ceremony Ronlad Pinto managing director Hyssna International addressed the gathering. He expressed sincere gratitude to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of UAE and other rulers for making a world class international cricket stadium. While recollecting MCC’s growth from the maiden season, he applauded the efforts of MCC president K H Latheef for organizing the tournament in a systematic manner at the international cricket stadium. He also wished success for MCC’s forthcoming charity plans.
Walter Almeida managing director Regal Furnishing congratulated the MCC core committee for making the tournament a great success. MCC president Latheef K H Kakkinje honored the guests and sponsors with mementoes. Rasheed gave away the mementos to the match officials.
As many as 20 Karnataka teams from places across the United Arab Emirates participated in the event. All the participating teams played their best keeping their scores and sprits very high. All the matches were planned to be of 6 overs each. The final matches were cut short to three overs due to time constraints. Sudhir Kumar Shetty, COO – Global Operations UAE Exchange, Dr Shabeer Nellikode managing director Universal Hospital, Dolphy Vas president Konkani Cultural Organization (KCO) watched the tournament and appreciated the organizers.
In the finals battle, Friday Chargers won the toss and elected to field, Sumtech able to put up the good score of 29 runs (3 overs) lost 2 wickets. Sumtech made no mistake in tackling the batsmen of the opposing team successfully restricting Friday Chargers to 24 runs and taking 2 wickets. Last controlled over and good spells of Arshad sumtech made Friday chargers to completely lose the battle. Friday Chargers turned out to be the runners-up of the tournament.
Galaxy Abu Dhabi and Eleven Worriers reached the semifinals and got eliminated by the winners and runner-up teams accordingly.
Trophies/cash prize:
Event trophy winner’s outstanding performer’s details:
Winner – Sumtech cricketers Abu Dhabi winner trophy and cash award AED 12222
Runner up – Friday Chargers, Runner-up trophy and cash award AED 6666
Man of the match in finals – Arshad – Sumtech
Man of series – Althaf Sumtech
Best catcher of the tournament – Majeed (Galaxi Cricketers)
Best fielder of tournament – Azar SCC Cricketers
Best keeper of tournament – Arif Friday Chargers
Best batsman of tournament – Althaf Sumtech
Fair play award: Sitara Sunshine, Regal Cricketers Abu Dhabi, Belman Friends and SCC Cricketers.
Many trophies were awarded in the following categories: Man of the match in each league match, best bowler, best keeper, best fielder, best all-rounder, best catcher etc.
Spectators received tab, mobile phone and other attractive prizes under coupon lucky draw. Red Bull, Coco Cola, Arwa, Almarai products, Uniliver products Seba menu put up their kiosks and freely distributed their products to all the spectators to support the tournament under their corporate responsibility and social commitment ethos.
Henna for the women, face painting for kids and other sports activities were also organized for families.
Universal Hospital also joined hands with the magnificent event by conducting a free health checkup at the stadium for the spectators and teams. Dr Rajeev Pillai CME incharge head of marketing/ corporate health Universal Hospital commended the tournament.
MCC president Latheef K H Royal Emirates extended heartfelt thanks to all the sponsors, participating teams and crowd for making this fifth season a great success. He also expressed sincere gratitude to Abu Dhabi Cricket council (ADCC) for its great patronage toward allocating the international cricket stadium ground for this event."Upcoming MCC tournament details will be posted in www.mccabudhabi.com," he added.
Mangalorean Cricket Club's successive fifth season was full of action and excitement. Eminent social workers and NRI business conglomerates were present during the presentation ceremony. Prize distribution and winding up ceremony was blissful with many delegates. Ronlad Pinto, Walter Almeida, Thelma Regal Furnishing, Asif and Althaf managing directors of Sumtec Multiline Trading Mussafah, Akram managing director Al Sitara group Abu Dhabi, Nooruddin Bindarai & Partners, Shekhar Shetty managing firector Arab Udupi group, Hakeem K H managing director Royal group of companies, Hidayath National Group, Aboobackar managing director Safe Line group, Mubeen Sky Telecommunications, Santhosh Rai Ramee group of companies, Rami & Mahmoud Jordan Marble Centre, Shahnawaz Hakim Yousuf - Abu Dhabi Cricket Council (ADCC), Sachin Broadway Event Management, Yahya Abbas general manager ENE Abu Dhabi Ports. Sayyed Misbah MISSI Institute, MCC board members and executives were present on the occasion. Nizar Charmadi compered the programme.